'Don’t White people qualify?': Australians row over $5.5M ‘House of India’ project in Queensland

The anti-Indian sentiment in Australia has recently been on the rise with not just the public but also politicians using it for clout. In such an environment, any step taken towards the community that forms one of the largest migrant communities in the country has been receiving flak online. Thus, when a Labor MP announced the launch of a new House of India project worth $5.5 million in Queensland, it sparked a massive backlash among the netizens.

Federal member Blair Shayne Neumann shared photos of himself with representatives from the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland and three other Labor MPs at the event held in Ipswich on Sunday.

He said he was "proud to secure" the $5.5 million in funding as part of the commitment ahead of last year's federal election. While the news may have been welcomed by the Indian community in the country, local Australians were outraged as their money was being diverted to build a complex for Indians while the natives struggled with the high cost of housing and other problems.

“Funded anything about Australia’s pioneers yet? Can’t remember the last time I saw a British or Irish or NZ, Dutch, German or US or Canadian cultural centre. Don’t White people qualify?” asked one netizen.

"We feel like strangers in our own country & our nation is becoming unrecognisable. Remigration. AUSTRALIA FIRST," added another on X (formerly Twitter).

"This country is cooked ! The lucky country is no more! We import everything, from cars , fuel , food , steel and people ! We have a housing shortage/ homeless crisis, yet we keep importing people in, thousands a month In 50 years our Aussie cricket capt name will be Raj !" wrote another.

"The way things are going, we are going to need a "Little Australia" built soon with border walls. With Chinatowns, Muslim enclaves, etc." added another stressed netizen.

India is the second-largest source of foreign-born residents in Australia, after the United Kingdom. 3.45 of the country's total population is Indian. Thus, the government along with campaigning leaders focus considerable attention on the community. Previously, the Melbourne council had announced the establishment of a 'Little India' in Docklands for $1.2 million, which had also led to a similar massive outrage online.

Much of the backlash is based on the rise in rents and house prices with increased pressure on infrastructure and services due to an influx of immigrants into the country.